Thickener for liquid component

ABSTRACT

Provided is means of thickening a liquid component, wherein
         the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, and   when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains
           65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and   35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride,   
           x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and
           y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y≤22.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a thickener for a liquid component, a method of producing a thickened composition using the thickener, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Products such as foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical drugs are blended with various functional materials.

Many of these products contain functional materials as liquid components, such as liquid foods, liquid cosmetics, and liquid-filled capsules. Because of the liquid form, there is a problem that these liquid components are hard to drink for those with weakened swallowing ability. In addition, because of the liquid form, there are problems of high fluidity and handleability and at the time of use. The liquid component is thickened as means of solving these problems (Patent Literatures 1 to 3).

CITATION LIST Patent Literatures

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-157370

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 2646422

Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent No. 2700377

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problems

However, there remains a problem that there are very few methods of thickening liquid components containing hydrophobic components and thus no sufficiently satisfactory method has yet been obtained. Meanwhile, although there are several thickeners for liquid components containing hydrophilic components, the main components of these thickeners are food additives. For this reason, the amount applicable is limited and there arises a problem of safety.

Solution to Problems

The present inventors have made earnest studies on the above problems to find that use of an oil and/or fat composition containing a triglyceride having a particular structure in a particular composition makes it possible for anyone to easily thicken a liquid component (particularly a liquid component containing a hydrophobic substance). In addition, the oil and/or fat composition is a food, not a food additive, and thus can be used without posing a problem of safety. The present invention has been completed based on this finding.

To be more specific, the present invention relates to the following.

[1] A thickener for a liquid component, wherein

the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, and

when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains

-   -   65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides         having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at         positions 1 to 3 and     -   35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides         each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place         of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type         triglyceride,

x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and

y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y≤22.

[2]

The thickener according to [1] described above, wherein

the oil and/or fat composition is in a powder form.

[3]

The thickener according to [1] or [2] described above, wherein

the liquid component has a viscosity of 1 to 300 mPa·s.

[4]

The thickener according to anyone of [1] to [3] described above, wherein

the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance.

[5]

The thickener according to anyone of [1] to [4] described above, wherein

the liquid component is a solution of a hydrophobic substance.

[6]

The thickener according to [5] described above, wherein

a solvent of the solution is selected from the group consisting of liquid oils, alcohols, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof.

[7]

The thickener according to anyone of [1] to [4] described above, wherein

the liquid component is an emulsion of a hydrophobic substance.

[8]

The thickener according to [7] described above, wherein

the emulsion of a hydrophobic substance contains at least one selected from the group consisting of water, emulsifiers, and glycerin.

[9]

The thickener according to anyone of [4] to [8] described above, wherein

the hydrophobic substance is selected from the group consisting of flavors, dyes, vitamins, lipids, and mixtures thereof.

[10]

The thickener according to anyone of [1] to [3] described above, wherein

the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance.

[11]

The thickener according to any one of [1] to [3] and 10 described above, wherein

the liquid component is a solution of a hydrophilic substance.

[12]

The thickener according to [11] described above, wherein

a solvent of the solution is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof.

[13]

The thickener according to any one of [1] to [3] and [10] described above, wherein

the liquid component is an emulsion of a hydrophilic substance.

[14]

The thickener according to [13] described above, wherein

the emulsion of a hydrophilic substance contains at least one selected from the group consisting of water, emulsifiers, and glycerin.

[15]

The thickener according to any one of [10] to [14] described above, wherein

the hydrophilic substance is selected from the group consisting of flavors, dyes, vitamins, and mixtures thereof.

[16]

The thickener according to anyone of [1] to [15] described above, wherein

the liquid component is a liquid form food.

[17]

The thickener according to [16] described above, wherein

the liquid form food is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, wines, fruit juices, stock, and yogurts.

[18]

A method of producing a thickened composition, comprising:

a mixing step of mixing the thickener according to any one of [1] to [17] described above and a liquid component.

[19]

The production method according to [18] described above, further comprising

a cooling step of cooling a mixture of the thickener and the liquid component.

[20]

The production method according to [18] or [19] described above, wherein

a seeding process, a tempering process, and/or a pre-cooling process are further performed between the mixing step and the cooling step.

[21]

The production method according to anyone of [18] to [20] described above, wherein

the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance, and

an amount of the liquid component used is more than 30% by mass to 99% by mass relative to a total mass of the thickened composition.

[22]

The production method according to anyone of [18] to [20] described above, wherein the liquid component

contains a hydrophilic substance and

is 300 to 30000% by mass relative to a total mass of the thickener in the mixing step.

[23]

A thickened composition produced by the production method according to any one of [18] to [22] described above.

[24]

A thickened composition comprising the thickener according to any one of [1] to [17] described above and having a viscosity of 1 to 30000 mPa·S.

[25]

The thickened composition according to [23] or [24] described above for use as a raw material or an intermediate of a product.

[26]

The thickened composition according to [25] described above, wherein

the product is selected from the group consisting of foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, household goods, feeds, general goods, agricultural chemicals, and industrial chemical products.

[27]

A food and/or beverage comprising the thickened composition according to any one of [23] to [26] described above.

[28]

The food and/or beverage according to [27] described above, being luxury foods.

[29]

A method of thickening a liquid component, comprising a step of mixing the thickener according to any one of [1] to [17] described above and a liquid component.

[30]

The method according to [29] described above, further comprising a cooling step of cooling a mixture of the thickener and the liquid component.

[31]

A thickened composition thickened by the method according to [29] or [30] described above.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As shown in Examples to be described later, the thickener of the present invention makes it possible for anyone to easily thicken a liquid component. Moreover, the thickener of the present invention contains an oil and/or fat composition as a main component and thus does not pose a problem of safety present in a conventional thickener having a food additive as a main component. Hence, the present invention is usable as a thickener with added value which a conventional thickener does not have.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

<Thickener for Liquid Component>

The “thickener for a liquid component” of the present invention (hereinafter also referred to as a “thickener”) contains an oil and/or fat composition to be described later as a main component.

<Oil and/or Fat Composition>

When the total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition is an oil and/or fat composition which contains: 65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3; and 35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, in which x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y≤22.

Hereinafter, a description is provided in detail for the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride.

<XXX-Type Triglyceride>

The oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention contains a single type or more types, preferably a single type (one type) of XXX-type triglyceride the content of which, when the total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, is 65 to 99% by mass.

The XXX-type triglyceride is a triglyceride having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3, and the fatty acid residues X are identical to each other. Here, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, preferably an integer selected from 10 to 18, more preferably an integer selected from 10 to 16, and further preferably an integer selected from 10 to 12.

The fatty acid residue X may be a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue. Specifically, the fatty acid residue X includes, but is not limited to, residues of caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and arachidic acid, for example. The fatty acid is more preferably capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, further preferably capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, and palmitic acid, and especially preferably capric acid and lauric acid.

When the total triglyceride content in the oil and/or fat composition is set to 100% by mass, the XXX-type triglyceride is contained at 65 to 99% by mass. The content of XXX-type triglyceride is preferably 75 to 99% by mass, more preferably 80 to 99% by mass, further preferably 83 to 98% by mass, particularly preferably 85 to 98% by mass, and especially preferably 90 to 98% by mass.

<X2Y-Type Triglyceride>

The oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention contains one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride. Here, the fatty acid residues X contained in one X2Y-type triglyceride are identical to each other and also identical to the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride. The number of carbon atoms y of the fatty acid residue Y contained in one X2Y-type triglyceride is an integer selected based on the conditions that x+2 to x+12 and y≤22. The number of carbon atoms y is an integer selected based on the conditions of preferably satisfying y=x+2 to x+10 and more preferably satisfying y=x+4 to x+8. In addition, the upper limit value of y, the number of carbon atoms, is preferably y≤20 and more preferably y≤18. The oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention may contain multiple, for example two types to five types, preferably 3 or 4 types of X2Y-type triglycerides. In that case, the definition of each of the X2Y-type triglycerides is as described above. The numbers of carbon atoms y of the fatty acid residues Y of the X2Y-type triglycerides are each independently selected from the above-described range for each X2Y-type triglyceride. For example, although x has a common value of x=10, production of the oil and/or fat composition of the present invention by transesterification of tricaprin and extremely hardened palm kernel stearin oil involves four types of X2Y-type triglycerides in which y has the values of y=12, 14, 16, and 18.

The fatty acid residue Y may be a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid residue. Specifically, the fatty acid residue Y includes, but is not limited to, residues of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, and behenic acid, for example. The fatty acid is more preferably myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, and behenic acid and further preferably myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. The fatty acid residue Y of this X2Y-type triglyceride may be positioned at any of the positions 1 to 3.

When the total triglyceride content in the oil and/or fat composition is set to 100% by mass, the X2Y-type triglyceride is contained at 35 to 1% by mass. The content of X2Y-type triglyceride is, for example, 25 to 1% by mass, preferably 20 to 1% by mass, more preferably 17 to 1% by mass, further preferably 15 to 2% by mass, and especially preferably 10 to 2% by mass. If the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention contains multiple X2Y-type triglycerides, the amount of the X2Y-type triglycerides is the total amount of the X2Y-type triglycerides contained.

<Other Triglycerides>

The oil and/or fat composition may contain other triglycerides other than the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride described above as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. The other triglyceride may be multiple types of triglycerides or any of synthetic oils and/or fats and natural oils and/or fats. The synthetic oils and/or fats include glyceryl tricaprylate, glyceryl tricaprate, glyceryl trilaurate, and the like. The natural oils and/or fats include, for example, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil. Note that if present in the liquid form, these synthetic oils and/or fats may be used as a liquid component to be thickened. When the total triglyceride content in the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention is set to 100% by mass, no problem arises if the other triglycerides are contained at 1% by mass or more, for example about 5 to 30% by mass. The content of the other triglycerides is, for example, 0 to 30% by mass, preferably 0 to 18% by mass, more preferably 0 to 15% by mass, and further preferably 0 to 8% by mass.

<Method of Producing Oil and/or Fat Composition>

The oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention can be a liquid form oil and/or fat composition in the molten state or a powdered oil and/or fat composition in the solid state. First, a description is provided below for a method of producing the liquid form oil and/or fat composition.

The oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention can be produced by a method including the following steps:

(a) a step of preparing an oil and/or fat composition which contains, when the total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, 65 to 99% by mass of XXX-type triglyceride having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and 35 to 1% by mass of X2Y-type triglyceride having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, in which x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y≤22; and

(b) a step of obtaining the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state by heating the oil and/or fat composition to melt the triglyceride contained in the oil and/or fat composition.

Hereinafter, a description is provided for steps (a) and (b) described above.

(a) Step I of Preparing Oil and/or Fat Composition

The oil and/or fat composition prepared in step (a) contains the XXX-type triglyceride (one or more types) and X2Y-type triglyceride (one or more types) as described above at the above-described mass percentages. Specifically, for example, the oil and/or fat composition can be obtained through the step of: separately obtaining the XXX-type triglyceride (one or more types) having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and the YYY-type triglyceride (one or more types) having fatty acid residues Y, each with y carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3; obtaining a reaction substrate by mixture at a mass ratio of the XXX-type triglyceride/YYY-type triglyceride being 90/10 to 99/1 (here, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from x+2 to x+12 and satisfies y≤22); heating the reaction substrate; and performing a transesterification reaction in the presence of a catalyst.

<Reaction Substrate>

First, the XXX-type triglyceride (one or more types) and the YYY-type triglyceride (one or more types) are mixed to obtain a reaction substrate. Here, the details of the XXX-type triglyceride are as described above.

The YYY-type triglyceride is a triglyceride having fatty acid residues Y, each with y carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3. Here, y, the number of carbon atoms, and the fatty acid residue Y are as described above.

The XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride can also be obtained by direct synthesis using a fatty acid or a fatty acid derivative and glycerin. Taking the XXX-type triglyceride as an example, a method of directly synthesizing the XXX-type triglyceride includes (i) a method of directly esterifying a fatty acid having X carbon atoms and glycerin (direct ester synthesis), (ii) a method of reacting glycerin with a fatty acid alkyl (for example, a fatty acid methyl and a fatty acid ethyl), in which a carboxyl group of a fatty acid X having x carbon atoms is bonded to an alkoxyl group, under a condition of a basic or acidic catalyst (transesterification synthesis using a fatty acid alkyl), and (iii) a method of reacting glycerin with a fatty acid halide (for example, a fatty acid chloride and a fatty acid bromide), in which a hydroxyl group of a carboxyl group of the fatty acid X having x carbon atoms is substituted with a halogen, in the presence of a basic catalyst (acid halide synthesis).

Although the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride can be produced by any of the methods (i) to (iii) described above, (i) the direct ester synthesis or (ii) the transesterification synthesis using a fatty acid alkyl is preferable and (i) the direct ester synthesis is more preferable from the viewpoint of easiness of production.

In order to produce the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride by (i) the direct ester synthesis, the fatty acid X or the fatty acid Y is used preferably in 3 to 5 moles and is used more preferably in 3 to 4 moles relative to 1 mole of glycerin from the viewpoint of production efficiency.

The reaction temperature of the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride in (i) the direct ester synthesis may be a temperature which makes it possible to remove generation water generated by the esterification reaction to the outside of the system, and is preferably 120° C. to 300° C., more preferably 150° C. to 270° C., and further preferably 180° C. to 250° C., for example. If the reaction is performed at 180 to 250° C., it is possible to particularly efficiently produce the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride.

In (i) the direct ester synthesis of the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride, a catalyst which promotes esterification reaction may be used. The catalyst includes an acidic catalyst, an alkaline earth metal alkoxide, and the like. The amount of catalyst used is preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass relative to the total mass of the reaction raw materials.

In (i) the direct ester synthesis of the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride, after the reaction, it is possible to remove the catalyst and the unreacted raw materials by performing known purification treatment such as water washing, alkali deacidification and/or pressure reducing deacidification, and adsorption treatment. Moreover, by implementing bleaching and deodorization treatment, it is possible to further purify the obtained reaction product.

These XXX-type triglyceride and YYY-type triglyceride are mixed at a mass ratio of the XXX-type triglyceride/YYY-type triglyceride being 90/10 to 99/1, preferably 93/7 to 99/1, and more preferably 95/5 to 99/1. Particularly, if the fatty acid residue X has 10 carbon atoms and the fatty acid residue Y has to 18 carbon atoms, the mass ratio of the XXX-type triglyceride/YYY-type triglyceride is preferably 95/5 to 99/1. In addition, if the fatty acid residue X has 12 carbon atoms and the fatty acid residue Y has 16 to 18 carbon atoms, the mass ratio of the XXX-type triglyceride/YYY-type triglyceride is preferably 95/5 to 99/1.

<Other Triglycerides>

As the triglyceride being a raw material of the reaction substrate, various types of triglycerides may be contained including the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride described above as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. The other triglycerides include, for example, a X2Y-type triglyceride having the fatty acid residue Y in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride and a XY2-type triglyceride having the fatty acid residues Y in place of two of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride.

When the total mass of the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride is set to 100% by mass, the amount of the other triglycerides is, for example, 0 to 15% by mass, preferably 0 to 7% by mass, and more preferably 0 to 4% by mass.

In addition, instead of the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride, a triglyceride composition of natural origin may be used. The triglyceride composition of natural origin includes, for example, palm kernel oil, palm kernel olein, palm kernel stearin, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, and palm stearin. Moreover, these triglyceride compositions of natural origin may be a hydrogenated oil, a partially hydrogenated oil, and an extremely hardened oil which are modified by e.g. hydrogenation.

Although the amount of the triglyceride compositions of natural origin depends on the necessary amount of the XXX-type triglyceride or the YYY-type triglyceride contained in these triglyceride compositions of natural origin, it is appropriate that, for example if each of the X's of the XXX-type triglyceride is capric acid and extremely hardened palm kernel stearin oil is used as the origin of the YYY-type triglyceride, a triglyceride which has the residues Y at positions 1 to 3 contained in the extremely hardened palm kernel stearin oil is contained in an amount necessary as the YYY-type triglyceride described above, in other words in such an amount that satisfies the mass ratio of the XXX-type triglyceride/YYY-type triglyceride being 90/10 to 99/1, preferably 93/7 to 99/1, and more preferably 95/5 to 98/2.

<Other Components>

In addition to the triglycerides described above, the raw materials constituting the reaction substrate may optionally contain other components such as a partial glyceride, an antioxidant, an emulsifier, and a solvent such as water. The amount of the other components can be any amount as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired and is, for example, 0 to 5% by mass, preferably 0 to 2% by mass, and more preferably 0 to 1% by mass when the mass of the obtained reaction substrate is set to 100% by mass.

Although any known mixing method may be used as long as a homogeneous reaction substrate is obtained, the mixing can be performed with, for example, a paddle mixer, an agi homo mixer, a disper mixer, and the like.

Regarding the mixing, the mixing may be performed under heating as necessary. The heating is preferably the same as the heating temperature in step (b) to be described later, and is performed at, for example, 50 to 120° C., preferably 60 to 100° C., more preferably 70 to 90° C., and further preferably 80° C. Note that if an enzyme is added as a catalyst, water is present preferably in an amount as little as possible before the addition of an enzyme. It is appropriate that the amount of water before the addition of an enzyme is, for example, 10% by mass or less, preferably 0.001 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.01 to 3% by mass, and further preferably 0.01 to 2% by mass relative to the total mass of the raw materials. This mixing may continue for 5 to 60 minutes, preferably 10 to 50 minutes, and more preferably 20 to 40 minutes, for example.

<Transesterification Reaction>

A transesterification reaction product (an oil and/or fat composition containing the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride) is obtained by heating the reaction substrate (a mixture containing the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride) described above, followed by transesterification reaction in the presence of a catalyst.

Regarding the transesterification reaction, it is possible to use a usually used transesterification reaction without particular limitation.

Here, the heating is performed at, for example, 50 to 120° C., preferably 60 to 100° C., more preferably 70 to 90° C., and further preferably 80° C.

As the catalyst, it is possible to use an enzyme, an alkali metal alkoxide, an alkaline earth metal alkoxide, and the like. As the enzyme, it is possible to use an immobilized enzyme and a powder enzyme, but the powder enzyme is preferable in terms of enzyme activity and handling easiness.

The powder enzyme is one obtained by drying an enzyme-containing water-based liquid and powderizing the enzyme-containing water-based liquid by a method such as spray drying, freeze drying, and drying after solvent precipitation, and examples thereof include, but are not limited to, a lipase originating from Alcaligenes sp. (Meito Sangyo Co., Ltd., trade name of Lipase QLM).

As the immobilized enzyme, it is possible to use one obtained by immobilizing an enzyme to a support such as silica, Celite, diatomaceous earth, perlite, polyvinyl alcohol, an anion-exchange resin, a phenol absorbing resin, a hydrophobic support, a cation-exchange resin, and a chelating resin.

Regarding the alkali metal alkoxides and the alkaline earth metal alkoxides usable as a catalyst, the alkali metals preferably usable include lithium, sodium, potassium, and the like. The alkaline earth metals preferably usable include magnesium and calcium. The alkoxides include a methoxide, an ethoxide, a propoxide, n-butoxide, t-butoxide, and the like, and are preferably a methoxide and an ethoxide. Preferable alkali metal alkoxides and alkaline earth metal alkoxides include sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, magnesium methoxide, magnesium ethoxide, and the like, and are more preferably sodium methoxide.

These catalysts may be used singly or in combination of two or more types, but it is preferable that an enzyme-based catalyst and an alkoxide-based catalyst are not used at the same time.

The amount of catalyst may be such an amount that transesterification reaction sufficiently proceeds, and the amount added is, for example, 0.01 to 20% by mass, preferably 0.05 to 10% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass, and further preferably 0.2 to 1% by mass relative to the total mass of the triglycerides being raw materials. An optional auxiliary catalyst may be used in addition to the catalysts described above.

The transesterification reaction is performed together with optional stirring under, for example, normal pressure or under reduced pressure and at the heating temperature described above for 0.5 to 50 hours, preferably 1 to 40 hours, more preferably 5 to 30 hours, and further preferably 10 to 20 hours, for example. In addition, although the predetermined amount of catalyst may be introduced, for example, at a time in this reaction step, the predetermined amount of catalyst may be introduced separately in 2 to 30 times, preferably 3 to 20 times, and more preferably 5 to 15 times. The timing of introducing the catalyst may be immediately after step (a) described above or at intervals of 1 to 2 hours after the first introduction of the catalyst.

(a) Step II of Preparing Oil and/or Fat Composition

The method of producing the oil and/or fat composition prepared in step (a) further includes a method of synthesizing simultaneously and directly the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride as described later. To be more specific, in order to obtain the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride, preparation step II does not separately synthesize the XXX-type triglyceride and the YYY-type triglyceride for transesterification but introduces the raw materials (a fatty acid or a fatty acid derivative and glycerin) for producing both triglycerides into, for example, a single reaction vessel for simultaneous and direct synthesis. The production method thereof includes any of the following methods.

The method includes (iv) a method of directly esterifying glycerin with a fatty acid X having x carbon atoms and a fatty acid Y having y carbon atoms (direct ester synthesis), (v) a method of reacting glycerin with a fatty acid alkyl (for example, a fatty acid methyl and a fatty acid ethyl), in which a carboxyl group of each of the fatty acid X having x carbon atoms and the fatty acid Y having y carbon atoms is bonded to an alkoxyl group, under a condition of a basic or acidic catalyst (transesterification synthesis using a fatty acid alkyl), and (vi) a method of reacting glycerin with a fatty acid halide (for example, a fatty acid chloride and a fatty acid bromide), in which a hydroxyl group of a carboxyl group of each of the fatty acid X having x carbon atoms and the fatty acid Y having y carbon atoms is substituted with a halogen, in the presence of a basic catalyst (acid halide synthesis).

Although the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention can be produced by any of the methods described above, (iv) the direct ester synthesis or (v) the transesterification synthesis using a fatty acid alkyl is preferable and (iv) the direct ester synthesis is more preferable from the viewpoint of easiness of production.

In (iv) the direct ester synthesis of the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention, the production method is not limited as long as the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride in all the triglycerides are each within a range of desired mass percentage. For the purpose of reliably generating desired triglycerides in the system, it is preferable to perform a two-stage reaction. To be more specific, the method preferably includes a first stage of reacting glycerin with the fatty acid X having x carbon atoms, which contains the fatty acid Y having y carbon atoms, and a second stage of adding the fatty acid X having x carbon chains for reaction to produce an oil and/or fat composition containing a predetermined amount of the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride.

When performing the two-stage reaction, in the reaction at the first stage, the total molar amount of the fatty acid X and the fatty acid Y, adjusted within such a range that the X2Y-type triglyceride in all glycerides is at a desired mass percentage, is preferably 0.5 to 2.8 in molar amount, more preferably 0.8 to 2.57 molar amount, and most preferably 1.1 to 2.2 molar amount relative to 1 mole of glycerin. This reliably allows esterification of all of the fatty acid Y with glycerin and makes it possible to more reliably generate the X2Y-type triglyceride finally in the system.

The reaction temperature in the direct ester synthesis of the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention may be a temperature which makes it possible to remove generation water generated by the esterification reaction to the outside of the system, and is preferably 120° C. to 300° C., more preferably 150° C. to 270° C., and further preferably 180° C. to 250° C. If the reaction takes place particularly at 180 to 250° C., it is possible to efficiently produce the X2Y-type triglyceride.

In the direct ester synthesis of the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention, a catalyst which promotes esterification reaction may be used. The catalyst includes an acidic catalyst, an alkaline earth metal alkoxide, and the like. The amount of catalyst used is preferably about 0.001 to 1% by mass relative to the total mass of the reaction raw materials.

In (iv) the direct ester synthesis of the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention, after the reaction, it is possible to remove the catalyst and the unreacted raw materials by performing known purification treatment such as water washing, alkali deacidification and/or pressure reducing deacidification, and adsorption treatment. Moreover, by implementing bleaching and deodorization treatment, it is possible to further purify the obtained reaction product.

(a) Step III of Preparing Oil and/or Fat Composition

The oil and/or fat composition may be obtained as follows. An oil and/or fat composition containing the XXX-type triglyceride outside the range of 65 to 99% by mass and/or the X2Y-type triglyceride outside the range of 35 to 1% by mass is further prepared, followed by further addition of the XXX-type triglyceride or the X2Y-type triglyceride to obtain an oil and/or fat composition containing 65 to 99% by mass of the XXX-type triglyceride and 35 to 1% by mass of the X2Y-type triglyceride (preparation of an oil and/or fat composition by dilution). For example, an oil and/or fat composition may be obtained as follows. An oil and/or fat composition containing 50 to 70% by mass of the XXX-type triglyceride and 50 to 30% by mass of the X2Y-type triglyceride is obtained, followed by addition of a desired amount of the XXX-type triglyceride to obtain an oil and/or fat composition containing 65 to 99% by mass of the XXX-type triglyceride and 35 to 1% by mass of the X2Y-type triglyceride.

Moreover, preparation step III described above includes once preparing an oil and/or fat composition containing the XXX-type triglyceride within the range of 65 to 99% by mass and/or the X2Y-type triglyceride within the range of 35 to 1% by mass by preparation step I or II described above, followed by further addition of the XXX-type triglyceride or the X2Y-type triglyceride to adjust the mass percentage of each of the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride to a more preferable range (preparation of an even more preferable oil and/or fat composition by dilution).

(b) Step of Obtaining Above-Described Oil and/or Fat Composition in Molten State

The oil and/or fat composition obtained in step (a) described above is then cooled without heating if in the molten state at the time of preparation. However, if not in the molten state when obtained, the oil and/or fat composition is heated to melt the triglycerides contained in the oil and/or fat composition. As a result, the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state is obtained.

Here, it is appropriate that the heating of the oil and/or fat composition is performed at a temperature equal to or more than the melting points of the triglycerides contained in the oil and/or fat composition described above, particularly at a temperature which makes it possible to melt the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride, for example 70 to 200° C., preferably 75 to 150° C., and more preferably 80 to 100° C. In addition, it is appropriate that the heating is continued for 0.5 to 3 hours, preferably 0.5 to 2 hours, and more preferably 0.5 to 1 hour, for example.

As described above, it is possible to produce a liquid form oil and/or fat composition in the molten state of the present invention (an embodiment of the thickener in the present invention).

Next, a description is provided for a method of producing a powdered oil and/or fat composition in the solid state of the present invention (another embodiment of the thickener in the present invention). A powdered oil and/or fat composition (hereinafter also referred to as a “powder oil and/or fat composition”) is produced, by step (d) described below, by further cooling the oil and/or fat composition obtained by step (a) and step (b) described above. Note that it is necessary to perform cooling at the cooling temperature described later in order to produce the powder oil and/or fat composition.

(d) Step of Obtaining Powder Oil and/or Fat Composition by Cooling Oil and/or Fat Composition in Molten State

The oil and/or fat composition in the molten state is further cooled to form a powder oil and/or fat composition.

Here, “cool the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state” means to maintain the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state at a temperature lower than the melting point of the oil and/or fat composition. The “temperature lower than the melting point of the oil and/or fat composition” is, for example, a temperature lower than the melting point by 1 to 30° C., preferably a temperature lower than the melting point by 1 to 20° C., and more preferably a temperature lower than the melting point by 1 to 15° C. If x (the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid residue X) is 8 to 10, for example, the cooling of the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state is performed such that the final temperature reaches a temperature of preferably 10 to 30° C., more preferably 15 to 25° C., and further preferably 18 to 22° C. For example, the final temperature in the cooling is preferably 30 to 40° C., more preferably 32 to 38° C., further preferably 33 to 37° C. if x is 11 or 12, preferably 40 to 50° C., more preferably 42 to 48° C., further preferably 44 to 47° C. if x is 13 or 14, preferably 50 to 60° C., more preferably 52 to 58° C., further preferably 54 to 57° C. if x is 15 or 16, preferably 60 to 70° C., more preferably 62 to 68° C., further preferably 64 to 67° C. if x is 17 or 18, and preferably 70 to 80° C., more preferably 72 to 78° C., further preferably 74 to 77° C. if x is 19 or 20. It is appropriate to allow the oil and/or fat composition to stand at the final temperature described above for preferably 2 hours (120 minutes) or more, more preferably 4 hours (240 minutes) or more, and further preferably 6 hours to 2 days, for example. If x is 8 to 12 in particular, the stand time could be about 2 to 6 days.

(c) Step of Promoting Generation of Powder

As an optional step (c) for promoting the generation of powder between step (a) or (b) and (d) described above, one may further perform the treatment of a seeding process (c1), a tempering process (c2), and/or (c3) a pre-cooling process on the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state to be used in step (d). These optional steps (c1) to (c3) may be performed singly or in combination of two or more steps. Here, between step (a) or (b) and step (d) has a meaning which includes within step (a) or (b) and after step (a) or (b), and before step (d) and within step (d). The seeding process (c1) and the tempering process (c2) are each a method of promoting the generation of powder in the production of the powder oil and/or fat composition of the present invention, which treats the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state before cooling to the final temperature in order to more reliably powderize the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state.

Here, the seeding process is a method of promoting powderization by adding a small amount of a component being a core (seed) of powder in the cooling of the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state. To be more specific, for example, together with the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state obtained in step (b) an oil and/or fat powder which contains a XXX-type triglyceride having carbon atoms equal to those of the XXX-type triglyceride in the oil and/or fat composition at preferably 80% by mass or more and more preferably 90% by mass or more, is prepared as a core (seed) component. The method promotes the powderization of the oil and/or fat composition by adding this oil and/or fat powder being the core at 0.1 to 1 part by mass and preferably 0.2 to 0.8 parts by relative to 100 parts by mass of the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state when, in the cooling of the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state, the temperature of the oil and/or fat composition reaches a temperature of the final cooling temperature ±0 to +10° C. and preferably +5 to +10° C., for example.

The tempering process is a method of promoting the powderization of the oil and/or fat composition by, before allowing the oil and/or fat composition to stand at the final cooling temperature in the cooling of the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state, once performing cooling at a temperature lower than the cooling temperature of step (d), for example a temperature lower by 5 to 20° C., a temperature lower by preferably 7 to 15° C., and a temperature lower by more preferably about 10° C. for preferably 10 to 120 minutes and more preferably about 30 to 90 minutes.

(c3) The pre-cooling process is a method of, before cooling in step (d), once pre-cooling the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state obtained in step (a) or (b) described above at a temperature lower than the temperature of the molten state of step (a) or (b) and at a temperature higher than the cooling temperature of step (d). The temperature higher than the cooling temperature of step (d) can be, for example, a temperature higher by 2 to 40° C., a temperature higher by preferably 3 to 30° C., a temperature higher by more preferably 4 to 30° C., and a temperature higher by further preferably about 5 to 10° C. than the cooling temperature of step (d). The lower the temperature for pre-cooling, the shorter the main cooling time at the cooling temperature of step (d) can be. To sum up, unlike the seeding process and the tempering process, the pre-cooling process is a method which can promote the powderization of the oil and/or fat composition by simply lowering step by step the cooling temperature, and has a great advantage in the case of industrial production.

(e) Step of Obtaining Powder Oil and/or Fat Composition by Pulverizing a solid.

The above step of obtaining the powder oil and/or fat composition by cooling of step (d) may be, more specifically, performed by step (e) of obtaining the powder oil and/or fat composition by pulverizing a solid obtained by cooling of step (d).

To explain the details, the oil and/or fat composition containing the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride is first melted to obtain the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state, followed by cooling to form a solid having voids with an increased volume larger than the oil and/or fat composition in the molten state. The oil and/or fat composition formed into a solid having voids can easily be pulverized by applying a weak impact thereto. The solid easily collapses into a powder form.

Here, although the means of applying a weak impact is not particularly limited, a method of applying weak vibration (impact) for pulverization (loosening) by, for example, shaking or sieving is preferable because of its simplicity.

As described above, it is possible to produce a powder-form powder oil and/or fat composition in the solid state of the present invention.

<Optional Component in Oil and/or Fat Composition>

It is preferable that the oil and/or fat composition used in the present invention (which has two embodiments of a liquid form and a powder form) is essentially composed only of oil and/or fat. Here, the oil and/or fat is essentially composed only of triglycerides. In addition, “essentially” means that the components other than the oil and/or fat contained in the oil and/or fat composition or the components other than the triglycerides contained in the oil and/or fat are, for example, 0 to 15% by mass, preferably 0 to 10% by mass, and more preferably 0 to 5% by mass when the oil and/or fat composition or the oil and/or fat is set to 100% by mass.

<Thickener>

The thickener of the present invention contains the above-described oil and/or fat composition (which has two embodiments of a liquid form and a powder form) as an essential component.

The powdered oil and/or fat composition is preferably a powder body having an average particle diameter of 10 to 1000 μm, more preferably a powder body having an average particle diameter of 20 to 400 μm, and further preferably a powder body having an average particle diameter of 50 to 300 μm. If a powder body having the average particle diameter described above is used, it is possible to obtain a smooth thickened composition having a uniform distribution of the liquid component and the thickener. Note that the average particle diameter mentioned here is a value measured by laser diffraction scattering method (ISO 133201 and ISO 9276-1).

In addition, a powder body having the average particle diameter described above can be produced by using known pulverization means, for example spraying or a pulverizer, which is generally used for production of oils and/or fats.

It is preferable that the thickener of the present invention is composed only of the oil and/or fat composition.

Note that the thickener of the present invention may contain an optional component in addition to the oil and/or fat composition described above as long as the functions as the thickener are not impaired. The optional component mentioned here refers to a component other than the liquid component (thickening target) to be described later. The optional component includes an emulsifier, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar, dextrin, and the like.

The amount of the optional component blended is, for example, 0 to 70% by mass, preferably 0 to 65% by mass, and more preferably 0 to 30% by mass when the total mass of the thickener is set to 100% by mass.

Preferably, 90% by mass or more of the optional component is a powder body having an average particle diameter of 1000 μm or less and more preferably a powder body having an average particle diameter of 500 μm or less from the viewpoint that it is possible to obtain a smooth thickened composition having a uniform distribution of the liquid component and the thickener. Note that the average particle diameter mentioned here is a value measured by laser diffraction scattering method (ISO 133201 and ISO 9276-1).

Next, a description is provided for a method of thickening the liquid component by using the thickener of the present invention (in other words, a method of producing a thickened composition by thickening the liquid component).

<Liquid Component>

The liquid component refers to a liquid which contains the functional materials contained in the product to be described later.

In addition, the liquid component refers to a component which is a liquid at normal temperature (20° C.).

In addition, the thickener of the present invention is preferably applicable to a liquid component having a viscosity of 1 to 300 mPa·S (mPa·s=millipascal×second, for example, model B viscometer, 20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1 or 2, excluding the later-described additional case of definition, the viscosity value refers to one under these conditions. Note that 1 mPa·s=1 cP (centipoise).), preferably 2 to 200 mPa·s, more preferably 3 to 180 mPa·s, and further preferably 4 to 150 mPa·s. The viscosity of the liquid component can be measured using a model B viscometer at room temperature (20° C.).

Regarding the functional materials, it is possible to use ones capable of adding a certain function to the product without particular limitation.

In addition, the functional materials may be a substance which adds a primary function of the product (for example, active components in medicinal drugs or functional foods) or a substance which adds a secondary function of the product (for example, dyes and flavors in food).

The functional material may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types.

The functional material can be divided into hydrophobic substances and hydrophilic substances.

<Hydrophobic Substance>

Regarding the hydrophobic substances, it is possible to use ones blended in the product described later as functional materials without particular limitation. Specific examples include a flavor, a dye, a vitamin, a lipid, a protein (hydrophobic peptide), and the like. Among these, the present invention is preferably applicable to a flavor, a dye, a vitamin, and lecithin.

Regarding the flavor, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include menthol, cocoas (powder, extract, and the like), esters (for example, isoamyl acetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, and the like), natural essential oils (examples of plant essential oil are vanilla extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, jasmine, and the like; examples of animal essential oil are musk, ambergris, civet, castoreum, and the like), aromatic chemicals (for example, anethole, limonene, linalool, eugenol, vanillin, and the like), and oily seasonings (roasted shrimp oil, onion oil, and the like), and more specifically include limonene, vanillin, roasted shrimp oil, onion oil, and the like.

Regarding the dye, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include an orange dye, a yellow dye, a magenta dye, a cyan dye, and the like.

Regarding the vitamin, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, and the like.

Regarding the lipid, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include a triglyceride, a fatty acid, a phospholipid (for example, lecithin, lysolecithin, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, and the like), triethylhexanoin, and the like.

The protein includes a hydrophobic peptide, and the peptide is a series of 3 or more amino acids. Hydrophobicity means a low solubility to water, and hydrophobicity is here defined to be a solubility of less than 1 μg per 1 ml of water.

The hydrophobic substance may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types for use as a mixture.

The liquid component may be a solution of the hydrophobic substances. Regarding the solvent constituting the solution, it is possible to use ones capable of dissolving the hydrophobic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include a liquid oil, an alcohol, an organic solvent, and the like. Regarding the solution of the hydrophobic substances, it is preferable that the solution itself is hydrophobic.

Regarding the liquid oil, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include edible oil and/or fats such as rapeseed oil (canola oil), olive oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, grape seed oil, macadamia nut oil, hazelnut oil, pumpkin seed oil, walnut oil, tea seed oil, tea oil, MCT oil, and MLCT oil (note that the XXX-type triglyceride and the X2Y-type triglyceride described above are excluded).

Regarding the alcohol, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include, for example, lower alcohols such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, or the like.

Regarding the organic solvent, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, diethyl ether, methyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, hexane, acetone, chloroform, or the like.

The solvent may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types for use as a mixture.

Although no particular limitation is imposed, the content of the hydrophobic substances in the solution is, for example, 1 to 99% by mass, preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and further preferably 10 to 60% by mass relative to the total mass of the solution.

The liquid component may be an emulsion of the hydrophobic substances. Regarding the dispersion medium constituting the emulsion, it is possible to use ones capable of dispersing the hydrophobic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include water, glycerin, a sugar alcohol, a liquid oil, and the like, preferably water, glycerin, and a liquid oil, and more preferably water and glycerin.

The dispersion medium may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types.

The emulsion may contain an emulsifier. Regarding the emulsifier, it is possible to use ones capable of dispersing the hydrophobic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include glycerin fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, a fatty acid salt, alkyl sulfuric acid ester, an alkyl amine salt, a quaternary ammonium salt, alkyl betaine, lecithin, Quillaia extract, gum arabic, gum tragacanth, guar gum, karaya gum, xanthan gum, pectin, pullulan, cyclodextrin, alginic acid and salts thereof, carrageenan, gelatin, casein, starch, derivatives of starch, and the like, preferably glycerin fatty acid ester, propylene glycol fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, lecithin, and sorbitan fatty acid ester, and more preferably glycerin fatty acid ester, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, and lecithin.

The emulsifier may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types.

Although no particular limitation is imposed, the content of the hydrophobic substances in the emulsion is, for example, 1 to 99% by mass, preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and further preferably 10 to 60% by mass relative to the total mass of the solution.

Note that the liquid component may be the molten hydrophobic substances themselves (a melt). In this case, the liquid component is made up only of the hydrophobic substances. The hydrophobic substances usable as a melt include, for example, triethylhexanoin, vitamin E, limonene, vanillin, and the like.

<Hydrophilic Substance>

Regarding the hydrophilic substances, it is possible to use ones blended in the product described later as functional materials without particular limitation. Specific examples include a flavor, a dye, a vitamin, an available carbohydrate, a saccharide, a protein (hydrophilic peptide), a nucleic acid, a flavonoid (for example, a catechin), common salt, and the like. Among these, the present invention is preferably applicable to a flavor, a dye, and a vitamin.

Regarding the flavor, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include aqueous flavors (for example, shrimp flavor), natural plant flavors (for example, liquorice, Saint John's bread, prunus salicina extract, peach extract, and the like), acids (for example, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, butyric acid, and the like), and the like.

Regarding the dye, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include an azine-based dye, an acridine-based dye, a triphenylmethane-based dye, a xanthene-based dye, a porphyrin-based dye, a cyanine-based dye, a phthalocyanine-based dye, a styryl-based dye, a pyrylium-based dye, an azo-based dye, a quinone-based dye, a tetracycline-based dye, a flavone-based dye, a polyene-based dye, a BODIPY (registered trademark)-based dye, an indigoid-based dye, and the like.

Regarding the vitamin, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include vitamins B1, B2, and B6, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and the like.

Regarding the available carbohydrate, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include polysaccharides such as starch, dextrin, α-cyclodextrin, dextran, pullulan, gum arabic, tragacanth, and agar, monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, and galactose, and oligosaccharides.

The protein includes a hydrophilic peptide, and the peptide is a series of 3 or more amino acids. Hydrophilicity means a high solubility to water, and hydrophilicity is here defined to be a solubility of 1 μg or more per 1 ml of water.

The nucleic acid includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), DNA-RNA hybrid, an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, an aptamer, a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), and the like.

The hydrophilic substances may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types for use as a mixture.

The liquid component may be a solution of the hydrophilic substances. Regarding the solvent constituting the solution, it is possible to use ones capable of dissolving the hydrophilic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include water, an alcohol, an organic solvent, and the like, preferably water and an alcohol, and more preferably water. Regarding the solution of the hydrophilic substances, it is preferable that the solution itself is hydrophilic.

Regarding the alcohol, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include, for example, monovalent lower alcohols such as ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, and n-butanol; divalent alcohols such as 1,3-butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol; polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and polyvalent alcohols such as glycerin, diglycerin, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, and sorbitol.

Regarding the organic solvent, it is possible to use, for example, ones blended in foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, and the like without particular limitation. Specific examples include glycols, esters, ethers, ketones, and the like. The glycols include, for example, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The esters include esters of the alcohols and glycols described above with formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and the like, specifically methyl formate, ethyl formate, butyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl propionate, and the like. The ethers include alkyl ethers and the like of the alcohols and glycols described above, specifically dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, ethyl butyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol acetate monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, and the like. The ketones include acetone, diethyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetophenone, and the like.

The solvent may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types for use as a mixture.

Although no particular limitation is imposed, the content of the hydrophilic substances in the solution is, for example, 1 to 99% by mass, preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and further preferably 10 to 70% by mass relative to the total mass of the solution.

The liquid component may be an emulsion of the hydrophilic substances. Regarding the dispersion medium constituting the emulsion, it is possible to use ones capable of dispersing the hydrophilic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include water, glycerin, a sugar alcohol, a liquid oil, and the like, preferably water, glycerin, and a liquid oil, and more preferably water and glycerin.

The dispersion medium may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types.

The emulsion may contain an emulsifier. Regarding the emulsifier, it is possible to use ones capable of dispersing the hydrophilic substances without particular limitation. Specific examples include sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, organic acid monoglycerin fatty acid ester, lysolecithin, and the like, preferably sucrose fatty acid ester, polyglycerin fatty acid ester, and organic acid monoglycerin fatty acid ester, and more preferably sucrose fatty acid ester and organic acid monoglycerin fatty acid ester.

The emulsifier may be used singly or in appropriate combination of two or more types.

Although no particular limitation is imposed, the content of the hydrophilic substances in the emulsion is, for example, 1 to 99% by mass, preferably 5 to 80% by mass, and further preferably 10 to 60% by mass relative to the total mass of the solution.

Note that the liquid component may be the molten hydrophilic substances themselves (a melt). In this case, the liquid component is made up only of the hydrophilic substances. The hydrophilic substances usable as a melt include, for example, water, a sugar alcohol (for example, erythritol, maltitol, and the like), and the like.

In addition, the liquid component may be ones containing hydrophobic substances and/or hydrophilic substances, for example liquid form food. Specific examples of the liquid form food include cow's milk, wine, fruit juice (including fruit juice drinks and vegetable/fruit drinks), a drink (for example, green tea and sports drinks), yogurt, a lactic acid bacteria beverage, a jelly drink, stock, and the like, preferably cow's milk and fruit juice. Note that the “fruit juice” described above includes 100% juices such as orange juice. Regarding the liquid form food, it is preferable that the food itself is hydrophilic.

Note that the liquid component includes solutions and emulsions containing water as a functional material, and water itself (a functional material only).

<Method of Thickening Liquid Component (Method of Producing Thickened Composition)>

The present invention thickens the liquid component by mixing the thickener and the liquid component in the mixing step, and thereby produces a thickened composition containing the thickened liquid component (hereinafter also referred to as the “thickened composition”). The thickener used in the production of the thickened composition may be in the molten state (liquid form) or in the solid state (powder form). In the case of using one in the molten state, the cooling step to be described later is necessary. Note that if a thickener in the solid state (powder form) is used, it is possible to skip this cooling step.

Hereinafter, a description is provided for a method of producing the thickened composition.

<Mixing Step>

The thickener to be subjected to the mixing step may be in the molten state (liquid form) or in the solid state (powder form), but is preferably used in the molten state. Use in the molten state makes it possible for the thickener and the liquid component to mix well with each other, making it possible to obtain a more homogeneous thickened composition.

No particular limitation is imposed on the mass ratio between the thickener and the liquid component in the mixing step (thickener:liquid component).

In addition, if the liquid component contains hydrophobic substances (preferably, if the solution itself of the hydrophobic substances is hydrophobic), the amount of the liquid component used may be, for example, more than 30% by mass (specifically, not including 30% by mass) to 99% by mass, preferably 40 to 97% by mass, and more preferably 50 to 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (final product). If the amount used is as described above, it is possible to more sufficiently thicken the liquid component.

If the liquid component contains hydrophilic substances (preferably, if the solution itself of the hydrophilic substances is hydrophilic), the amount of the liquid component used may be, for example, 300 to 30000% by mass, preferably 400 to 9000% by mass, and more preferably 500 to 8000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (not the final product but the thickener itself). If the amount used is as described above, it is possible to more sufficiently thicken the liquid component. In addition, if the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance, the mass ratio between the thickener and the liquid component (thickener:liquid component) is, for example, 1:3 to 1:100, preferably 1:4 to 1:90, and more preferably 1:5 to 1:80. If the mixing step is performed within the above-described mass ratio ranges, it is possible to more sufficiently thicken the liquid component.

Note that in the calculation of the amount of the liquid component used, the amount of the “thickener” described above does not include the trace amount of oil and/or fat powder of the thickener added by the seeding process in order to simplify the calculation. In addition, the thickening in the present invention includes not only one in the gel form which can be measured with a viscometer but also a pasty one which cannot be measured with a viscometer.

Although any known mixing means may be used as long as a homogeneous mixture is obtained, the mixing can be performed with, for example, a paddle mixer, an agi homo mixer, a disper mixer, and the like.

Regarding the mixing, the mixing may be performed under heating as necessary. In the case of using the thickener in the molten state, the mixing temperature is, for example, 5 to 120° C., preferably 50 to 100° C., and more preferably 55 to 90° C. In the case of using the thickener in the powder form, the mixing temperature is, for example, 5 to 40° C., preferably 10 to 30° C., and more preferably 15 to 25° C. Note that in the case of thickening a particularly heat sensitive liquid component (for example, flavor, dye, vitamin, and the like), the mixing temperature is set to a temperature which does not cause decomposition or modification of the liquid component.

Although no particular limitation is imposed on the mixing time, the thickener and the liquid component may be mixed until a sufficiently uniform mixture is formed, and the mixing time is, for example, 5 to 60 minutes, preferably 10 to 50 minutes, and more preferably 20 to 40 minutes.

<Cooling Step>

There is a case where the mixture of the thickener and the liquid component is subsequently subjected to the cooling step for thickening. In particular, if an oil and/or fat composition in the molten state (liquid form) is used as the thickener described above, the mixture is generally subjected to the cooling step for thickening because the state of the mixture is the liquid form. Note that if an oil and/or fat composition in the solid state (powder form) is used as the thickener described above, the cooling step is an optional step performed as necessary.

The cooling step refers to a step of cooling the mixture of the thickener and the liquid component to a predetermined final temperature. As described later, the final temperature differs between the case where the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance and the case of containing a hydrophobic substance. In the case where the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance, the optimum final temperature tends to become lower as the content of the liquid component increases because thickener dissolves into the liquid component, followed by homogenization.

Consider the case where the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance. If x (the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid residue X) is 8 to 10, for example, the cooling of the mixture is performed such that the final temperature reaches a temperature of preferably 10 to 30° C., more preferably 15 to 25° C., and further preferably 18 to 22° C. For example, the final temperature in the cooling is preferably 30 to 40° C., more preferably 32 to 38° C., and further preferably 33 to 37° C. if x is 11 or 12, preferably 40 to 50° C., more preferably 42 to 48° C., and further preferably 44 to 47° C. if x is 13 or 14, preferably 50 to 60° C., more preferably 52 to 58° C., and further preferably 54 to 57° C. if x is 15 or 16, preferably 60 to 70° C., more preferably 62 to 68° C., and further preferably 64 to 67° C. if x is 17 or 18, and preferably 70 to 80° C., more preferably 72 to 78° C., and further preferably 74 to 77° C. if x is 19 or 20.

It is appropriate to allow the mixture of the thickener and the liquid component to stand at the final temperature described above for preferably 120 minutes or more, more preferably 240 minutes or more, and further preferably 6 hours to 2 days, for example.

Consider the case where the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance. If the content of the liquid component is 30 to 50% by mass and if x (the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid residue X) is 8 to 10, for example, the cooling of the mixture is performed such that the final temperature reaches a temperature of preferably −20 to 20° C., more preferably −15 to 15° C., and further preferably −12 to 12° C. For example, the final temperature in the cooling is preferably 0 to 30° C., more preferably 4 to 28° C., and further preferably 8 to 26° C. if x is 11 or 12, preferably 10 to 40° C., more preferably 14 to 38° C., and further preferably 18 to 36° C. if x is 13 or 14, preferably 20 to 50° C., more preferably 24 to 48° C., and further preferably 28 to 46° C. if x is 15 or 16, preferably 30 to 60° C., more preferably 34 to 58° C., and further preferably 38 to 56° C. if x is 17 or 18, and preferably 40 to 70° C., more preferably 44 to 68° C., and further preferably 48 to 66° C. if x is 19 or 20. Note that if the content of the liquid component is more than 50% by mass to 75% by mass, the optimum final temperature is a temperature further lower by 5° C. than the temperatures described above, and if the content of the liquid component is more than 75% by mass to 99% by mass, the optimum final temperature is a temperature further lower by 10° C. than the temperatures described above.

It is appropriate to allow the mixture to stand at the final temperature described above for preferably 120 minutes or more, more preferably 240 minutes or more, and further preferably 6 hours to 2 days, for example.

<Step of Promoting Thickening (Seeding Method, Tempering Method, and/or Pre-Cooling Method>

The seeding process, the tempering process, and/or pre-cooling process may be performed as an optional step for promoting thickening between the mixing step and the cooling step. Here, “between the mixing step and the cooling step” has a meaning which includes within the mixing step and after the mixing step, and before the cooling step and within the cooling step.

As the seeding process, it is possible to use the seeding process (c1) described above in relation to the production of the powder oil and/or fat composition constituting the thickener.

As the tempering process, it is possible to use the tempering process (c2) described above in relation to the production of the powder oil and/or fat composition constituting the thickener.

As the pre-cooling process, it is possible to use the pre-cooling process (c3) described above in relation to the production of the powder oil and/or fat composition constituting the thickener.

Although the present invention does not intend to be bound by a particular theory, use of the thickener of the present invention makes it possible to easily thicken the liquid component presumably because of the constitution of the oil and/or fat composition contained in the thickener. To be more specific, we consider as follows. In the case of only the XXX-type triglyceride having equal chain lengths, the oil and/or fat crystal is packed very densely to become continuous, and crystallizes while maintaining a dense state. In the actual situation, since there is a small amount of the X2Y-type triglyceride having a long chain length of one fatty acid, the X2Y-type triglyceride enters the oil and/or fat crystal made up of the XXX-type triglyceride when the X2Y-type triglyceride cools and crystallizes from the molten state, which hinders the continuation of the XXX-type triglyceride for crystal growth, followed by crystallization in a very hollowly state (state where the volume has increased and voids have been formed) as a result. Here, the liquid component is taken in the voids. Thus, thickening is achieved. It is considered that the liquid component is also taken in the voids by adding the thickener in the powder form to the liquid component.

<Characteristics of Thickened Composition>

The thickened composition, which is obtained by applying the thickener of the present invention to the liquid component, indicates all that have an increased viscosity larger than the liquid component before thickening. The thickened composition mentioned in the present invention also includes one having fluidity (for example, pasty one) or one having plasticity. Note that the thickened composition of the present invention is not a composition in the powder form. Note that the thickened composition of the present invention is not in the powder form.

The thickened composition of the present invention has a viscosity larger than one times the viscosity of the liquid component, for example, a viscosity 1.5 to 100 times, preferably a viscosity 2 to 75 times, and further preferably 5 to 50 times that. The viscosity of the thickened composition (room temperature 20° C.) can be measured using a model B viscometer.

The viscosity of the thickened composition itself of the present invention is not particularly limited because it depends on the viscosity of the liquid component being the starting point. In consideration of the handling convenience, however, the fluid state is preferable. For example, the viscosity is 1 to 30000 mPa·S (mPa·s=millipascal×second, model B viscometer, 20° C., 6 to 60 rpm, No. 1 to 4), preferably 2 to 25000 mPa·s, more preferably 5 to 15000 mPa·s, and especially preferably 7 to 1000 mPa·s.

<Use of Thickened Composition>

The thickened composition obtained by applying the thickener of the present invention to the liquid component can be used in various products without particular limitation depending on the functions provided by the functional materials contained in the thickened liquid component.

Specific examples of the products include, for example, foods and/or beverages, cosmetics, quasi drug, pharmaceutical drugs, household goods, feeds, general goods, agricultural chemicals, industrial chemical products, and the like.

In addition, the thickened composition itself may be used as a product (for example, gel-form food) and may be used as a raw material or an intermediate of the above-described product.

<Foods and/or Beverages>

The present invention also relates to foods and/or beverages particularly containing the thickened composition described above. The foods and/or beverages include, for example, luxury foods without particular limitation.

Note that the foods and/or beverages of the present invention may be the thickened compositions themselves or ones made by blending the thickened composition in other foods and/or beverages.

Regarding the luxury foods, it is possible to use ones which can be blended with the thickened composition of the present invention without particular limitation. Examples include cooking materials, processed foods, cooked foods, and the like. Specific examples include oils and/or fats or processed oils and/or fats (for example, deep frying oil for business use or household use, stir frying oil, spray oil, baking tray oil, margarine, fat spread, shortening, flour paste, creams, powder oils and/or fats, emulsified oils and/or fats, and the like), instant foods (for example, instant noodles, cup noodles, instant soups and stews, and the like), retort foods and canned foods (for example, curry, soup, stews, pasta sauce, prepared Chinese foods, prepared donburi, and the like), functional foods (for example, high-calorie beverages, fluid diets, balanced nutrition foods, dietary supplements, food for specified health uses, sports drinks, and the like), wheat flour or starch foods (for example, bread, pastas such as macaroni and spaghetti, pizza pies, noodles, cake mixes, processed cooked rice, serials, and the like), confectionery and desserts (for example, caramel, candies, chewing gum, chocolate, cookies and biscuits, cakes, pies, snacks, crackers, wagashi, beika, mamegashi, jellies, pudding, and the like), basic seasonings (for example, soy sauce, miso, sauces, and the like), flavor enhancers (curry or roux for stew, tare sauces, dressings, mayonnaise-like seasoning, noodle soup base, soup base for nabemono, chili oil, mustard, karashi, wasabi, grated ginger, grated onion, prepared kimchi, demi-glace, white sauce, tomato sauce, and the like), dairy products (for example, milk, processed milk, yogurts, lactic acid bacteria beverages, cheeses, ice creams, powdered infant formula, creams, and the like), processed marine products (for example, canned marine products, fish ham or sausage, pastes of marine product, canned oil immersed fish, and the like), processed agricultural products (for example, peanut butter, jam, marmalade, chocolate cream, processed menma products, processed zha cai products, nerigoma, sesame paste, and the like), processed livestock products (for example, animal meat ham or sausage, canned animal meat, pastes, hamburg steak, meatballs, flavored canned animal meat, tea (for example, green tea), fruit juice drinks, vegetable/fruit drinks, and the like), cooked or half cooked foods (for example, frozen foods, refrigerated foods, packed side dishes, side dishes for storefront sale, and the like), and jelly drinks. In addition, the foods and/or beverages containing the thickened composition of the present invention may be foods and/or beverages used for non-humans, for example pet foods for pets and feeds for livestock.

Next, the effects of the present invention are described in detail using Examples, but the present invention is not limited to Examples.

EXAMPLES

Preparation of Thickener

The thickeners A and B or B′ described below were prepared.

Thickener A

Into a 500-mL four-necked flask equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, a nitrogen gas inlet tube, and a water separator, 44.1 g (0.479 mol) of glycerin (manufactured by Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.), 25.9 g (0.091 mol) of stearic acid (Palmac 98-18 (manufactured by Acidchem International Sdn Bhd)), and 266.0 g (1.544 mol) of capric acid (Palmac 99-10 (manufactured by Acidchem International Sdn Bhd)) were placed. These were reacted under a nitrogen stream at a temperature of 250° C. for 15 hours. Excessive capric acid was distilled off at 190° C. under reduced pressure, followed by bleaching, filtration, and deodorization. Thus, 245 g of a pale yellow liquid reaction product at 50° C. was obtained (XXX type: 80.6% by mass, X2Y type: 17.3% by mass). An oil and/or fat composition was prepared by mixing 60 g of the obtained reaction product with 140 g of tricaprin (manufactured by The Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd.).

When the total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the obtained oil and/or fat composition was an oil and/or fat composition containing

94.0% by mass of the XXX-type triglyceride having fatty acid residues X, each with x (x=10) carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and

5.2% by mass of one or more types of the X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y (y=18) carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride.

In addition, the melting point of this oil and/or fat composition was about 28° C. This oil and/or fat composition, when optionally subjected to heating and melting, transforms into the liquid state (liquid form).

This oil and/or fat composition was used as the thickener A.

Thickener B or B′

Into a 500-mL four-necked flask equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, a nitrogen gas inlet tube, and a water separator, 38.8 g (0.421 mol) of glycerin (manufactured by Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.), 26.2 g (0.092 mol) of stearic acid (Palmac 98-18 (manufactured by Acidchem International Sdn Bhd)), and 271.3 g (1.354 mol) of lauric acid (Palmac 98-12 (manufactured by Acidchem International Sdn Bhd)) were placed. These were reacted under a nitrogen stream at a temperature of 250° C. for 15 hours. Excessive lauric acid was distilled off at 220° C. under reduced pressure, followed by bleaching, filtration, and deodorization. Thus, 242 g of a pale yellow liquid reaction product at 50° C. was obtained (78.3% by mass, X2Y type: 19.2% by mass). An oil and/or fat composition was prepared by mixing 60 g of the obtained reaction product with 140 g of trilaurin (manufactured by The Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd.).

When the total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the obtained oil and/or fat composition was an oil and/or fat composition containing

93.1% by mass of the XXX-type triglyceride having fatty acid residues X, each with x (x=12) carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and

5.8% by mass of one or more types of the X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y (y=18) carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride.

In addition, the melting point of this oil and/or fat composition was about 45° C. This oil and/or fat composition, when subjected to heating and melting, transforms into the liquid state (liquid form).

This oil and/or fat composition was used as the thickener B.

Moreover, this oil and/or fat composition was kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting. The resultant was cooled in a 28° C.-thermostatic chamber for 1 hour and then was allowed to stand in a 35° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. After that, a solid having voids with an increased volume was formed, followed by loosening. Thus, an oil and/or fat composition in the solid state (powder form) was obtained (loose bulk density: 0.3 g/cm³, average particle diameter 178 μm). This oil and/or fat composition was used as the thickener B′.

The loose bulk density and the average particle diameter of each of the thickeners were measured by the following method.

Loose Bulk Density

The loose bulk density was calculated by using a bulk specific gravity measurement apparatus of Kuramochi Kagakukikai Seisakusho and using a bulk specific gravity measured based on JIS K-6720 (or ISO 1060-1 and -2). To be more specific, 120 mL of sample was allowed to fall onto a receiver (100 mL cylindrical container having an inner diameter of 40 mm×height 85 mm) from a position higher by 38 mm than the upper open end of the receiver. Subsequently, a portion of the sample sticking out of the receiver was removed, and the mass (A g) of the sample corresponding to the internal volume of the receiver (100 mL) was weighed. The loose bulk density was obtained by the following formula. loose bulk density (g/mL)=A(g)/100(mL)

The measurement was performed three times and the average value thereof was set to the measurement value.

Average Particle Diameter

The average particle diameter was measured with Microtrac MT 3300 ExII manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd. based on the laser diffraction scattering method (ISO 133201 and ISO 9276-1).

In each of the examples, the viscosity of the liquid component and the viscosity of the thickened composition were measured using a model B viscometer (manufactured by Tokyo Keiki Inc., 20° C., 6 to 60 rpm, rotor No. 1 to 4).

Examples 1 to 4 employed orange juice (viscosity: 4.60 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the orange juice (private label product manufactured by EON Co., Ltd.) used in Examples 1 to 4 is a solution or an emulsion which contains A vitamins as hydrophobic substances, and vitamin C and folic acid as hydrophilic substances, for example. In addition, according to the Fifth Supplemented Version of the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, the content of lipid being a hydrophobic substance is 0.1 g and the content of carbohydrate (available carbohydrate) being a hydrophilic substance is 10.7 g relative to the total mass (100 g) of the orange juice from concentrate. In addition, A vitamins are 47 μg in terms of beta-carotene equivalent amount, vitamin C is 42 mg, and folic acid is 27 mg. Note that the orange juice itself is hydrophilic.

Example 1

At 60° C., 35 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 175 g of orange juice whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 500% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 181.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 2

At 60° C., 20 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of orange juice whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 1000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 45.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 3

At 60° C., 10 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of orange juice whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 2000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 35.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 4

At 60° C., 2 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of orange juice whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 10000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 16.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Table 1 below shows the viscosity of orange juice before thickening and the viscosity of the thickened composition obtained by using the thickener A.

TABLE 1 Thickener: Amount of Liquid Component Orange Juice Used Relative to Total Mass Viscosity (Mass Ratio) of Thickener (% by Mass) (mPa · s) Control Liquid — 4.6 Component Alone Example 1 1:5  500 181.5 Example 2 1:10 1000 45.0 Example 3 1:20 2000 35.0 Example 4  1:100 10000 16.5

The results shown in Table 1 show that it was possible to thicken the orange juice by using the thickener of the present invention.

Next, Examples 5 to 8 employed cow's milk (viscosity: 5.10 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the cow's milk (manufactured by FURUYA MILK PRODUCTS Co., Ltd.) used in Examples 5 to 8 is a solution or an emulsion which contains a lipid as the hydrophobic substance and contains water as the hydrophilic substance (a solvent or a dispersion medium of the hydrophobic substance). In addition, according to the Fifth Supplemented Version of the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, the content of lipid being a hydrophobic substance is 3.8 g and the content of water being a hydrophilic substance is 87.4 g relative to the total mass (100 g) of the cow's milk (normal cow's milk). Note that the cow's milk itself is hydrophilic.

Example 5

At 60° C., 35 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 175 g of cow's milk whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 500% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 142.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 6

At 60° C., 20 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of cow's milk whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 1000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 14.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 7

At 60° C., 10 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of cow's milk whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 2000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 10.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 8

At 60° C., 2 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a 500 ml transparent standard bottle (manufactured by AS ONE Corporation), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.035 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 200 g of cow's milk whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 10000% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 7.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Table 2 below shows the viscosity of cow's milk before thickening and the viscosity of the thickened composition obtained by using the thickener A.

TABLE 2 Thickener: Amount of Liquid Component Cow's Milk Used Relative to Total Mass Viscosity (Mass Ratio) of Thickener (% by Mass) (mPa · s) Control Liquid — 5.1 Component Alone Example 5 1:5  500 142.0 Example 6 1:10 1000 14.0 Example 7 1:20 2000 10.5 Example 8  1:100 10000 7.5

Table 2 shows that it was possible to thicken the orange juice by using the thickener of the present invention.

Next, Examples 9 to 16 employed canola oil (viscosity: 71.2 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the canola oil (manufactured by Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd.) used in Examples 9 to 16 contains a lipid (particularly a triglyceride) as the hydrophobic substance and is the melted hydrophobic substance itself (a melt).

Example 9

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 50.0 g of the thickener B and 50.0 g of canola oil were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 10

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 20.0 g of the thickener B and 60.0 g of canola oil were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 75% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 11

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 8.0 g of the thickener B and 72.0 g of canola oil were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 10° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 90% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 267.3 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 12

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 4.0 g of the thickener B and 76.0 g of canola oil were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 5° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 108.2 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 13

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 50.0 g of the thickener B′ and 50.0 g of canola oil were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the powder composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 14

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 20.0 g of the thickener B′ and 60.0 g of canola oil were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 75% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 287.3 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 15

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 8.0 g of the thickener B′ and 72.0 g of canola oil were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 90% by mass relative to the total mass of the powder composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 176.3 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 16

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 4.0 g of the thickener B′ and 76.0 g of canola oil were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 97.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Table 3 below shows the viscosity of the canola oil before thickening and the viscosity of the thickened composition obtained by using the thickener B or B′.

TABLE 3 Amount of Liquid Component Thickener: Used Relative to Total Mass Canola Oil of Thickened Composition Viscosity (Mass Ratio) (% by Mass) (mPa · s) Control Liquid — 71.2 Component Alone Example 9 1:1 50 100000 or more Example 10 1:3 75 100000 or more Example 11 1:9 90 267.3 Example 12  1:19 95 108.2 Example 13 1:1 50 100000 or more Example 14 1:3 75 287.3 Example 15 1:9 90 176.3 Example 16  1:19 95 97.5

Table 3 shows that it was possible to thicken the canola oil by using the thickener of the present invention and in addition that the preferably applicable thickener is not only one in the liquid state but also one in the solid state (powder form). Note that in the case of using one in the solid state, the cooling step was unnecessary.

Next, Examples 17 to 24 employed triethylhexanoin (viscosity: 39.5 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the triethylhexanoin (manufactured by Nisshin OilliO Group, Ltd., trade name: T.I.O) used in Examples 17 to 24 contains triethylhexanoin as the hydrophobic substance and is the melted hydrophobic substance itself (a melt).

Example 17

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 50.0 g of the thickener B and 50.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 18

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 20.0 g of the thickener B and 60.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 75% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 19

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 8.0 g of the thickener B and 72.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 10° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 90% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 353.8 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 20

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 4.0 g of the thickener B and 76.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed, and were mixed and kept at 60° C. for 0.5 hours for complete melting, followed by mixing. Next, the mixture was cooled in a 5° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours to obtain a thickened composition. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 172.3 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 21

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 50.0 g of the thickener B′ and 50.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 50% by mass relative to the total mass of the powder composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The obtained thickened composition was in a fluid state (pasty state) but could not be measured under the measurement conditions described above. Its viscosity was estimated to be 100000 mPa·s or more.

Example 22

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 20.0 g of the thickener B′ and 60.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 75% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 204.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 23

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 8.0 g of the thickener B′ and 72.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 90% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 150.2 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 24

Into Maruemu Screw Tube No. 8 (manufactured by Maruemu Corporation), 4.0 g of the thickener B′ and 76.0 g of triethylhexanoin were placed and mixed at 20° C. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 95% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickened composition (thickener B′+liquid component).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 77.5 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Table 4 below shows the viscosity of the triethylhexanoin before thickening and the viscosity of the thickened composition obtained by using the thickener B or B′.

TABLE 4 Amount of Liquid Com- ponent Used Relative Thickener: to Total Mass of Triethylhexanoin Thickened Composition Viscosity (Mass Ratio) (% by Mass) (mPa · s) Control Liquid — 39.5 Component Alone Example 17 1:1 50 100000 or more Example 18 1:3 75 100000 or more Example 19 1:9 90 353.8 Example 20  1:19 95 172.3 Example 21 1:1 50 100000 or more Example 22 1:3 75 204.5 Example 23 1:9 90 150.2 Example 24  1:19 95 77.5

Table 4 shows that it was possible to thicken the triethylhexanoin by using the thickener of the present invention and in addition that the preferably applicable thickener is not only one in the liquid state but also one in the solid state (powder form). Note that in the case of using one in the solid state, the cooling step was unnecessary.

Table 5 summarizes the results of Examples described above.

TABLE 5 Amount of XXX- X2Y- Liquid Type Type Final Name Property Component Number Tri- Tri- Cooling of of Used of glyceride glyceride Temper- Functional Liquid (% by Carbon (% by (% by Viscosity ature/ Material Component Mass) Thickener Atoms x Mass) Mass) (mPa · s) Hours Example Orange Hydrophilic 500.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 181.5 20° C./12 1 Juice Hours Example Orange Hydrophilic 1000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 45.0 20° C./12 2 Juice Hours Example Orange Hydrophilic 2000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 35.0 20° C./12 3 Juice Hours Example Orange Hydrophilic 10000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 16.5 20° C./12 4 Juice Hours Example Cow's Hydrophilic 500.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 142.0 20° C./12 5 Milk Hours Example Cow's Hydrophilic 1000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 14.0 20° C./12 6 Milk Hours Example Cow's Hydrophilic 2000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 10.5 20° C./12 7 Milk Hours Example Cow's Hydrophilic 10000.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 7.5 20° C./12 8 Milk Hours Example Canala Hydrophilic 50.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 100000 20° C./12 9 Oil or Hours more Example Canala Hydrophilic 75.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 100000 20° C./12 10 Oil or Hours more Example Canala Hydrophilic 90.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 267.3 10° C./12 11 Oil Hours Example Canala Hydrophilic 95.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 108.2  5° C./12 12 Oil Hours Example Canala Hydrophilic 50.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 100000 — 13 Oil or more Example Canala Hydrophilic 75.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 287.3 — 14 Oil Example Canala Hydrophilic 90.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 176.3 — 15 Oil Example Canala Hydrophobic 95.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 97.5 — 16 Oil Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 50.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 100000 20° C./12 17 or Hours more Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 75.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 100000 20° C./12 18 or Hours more Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 90.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 353.8 10° C./12 19 Hours Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 95.0 B 12 93.1 5.8 172.3  5° C./12 20 Hours Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 50.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 100000 — 21 or more Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 75.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 204.5 — 22 Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 90.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 150.2 — 23 Example T.I.O Hydrophobic 95.0 B′ 12 93.1 5.8 77.5 — 24

Examples 25 and 26 employed a lactic acid bacteria beverage (viscosity: 3.50 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the lactic acid bacteria beverage (Calpis Water, marketed by ASAHI SOFT DRINKS CO., LTD.) used in Examples 25 and 26 is a solution or an emulsion which contains saccharides as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan 2015 (Seventh Revised Version), the content of carbohydrate (available carbohydrate) being a hydrophilic substance is 14.0 g relative to the total mass (100 g) of the lactic acid bacteria beverage (non-dairy product). Note that the lactic acid bacteria beverage itself is hydrophilic.

Example 25

At 60° C., 4.5 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.0045 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of lactic acid bacteria beverage whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 1600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 40.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 26

At 60° C., 2.25 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.0025 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of lactic acid bacteria beverage whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 3200% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 23.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Examples 27 and 28 employed green tea (viscosity: 2.5 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the green tea (Oi Ocha, manufactured by Ito En, Ltd.) used in Examples 27 and 28 is a solution or an emulsion which contains catechin as the hydrophilic substance, for example. Note that the green tea itself is hydrophilic.

Example 27

At 60° C., 4.5 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.0045 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of green tea whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 1600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 36.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 28

At 60° C., 2.25 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.0025 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of green tea whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 3200% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 18.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 1).

Example 29 employed a fruit juice drink (viscosity: 9.50 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the fruit juice drink (Gokuri Grapefruit, manufactured by Suntory Foods Limited) used in Example 29 is a solution or an emulsion which contains vitamin C as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan 2015 (Seventh Revised Version), the content of vitamin C being a hydrophilic substance is 8 mg relative to the total mass (100 g) of a 20% grapefruit juice drink. Note that the fruit juice drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 29

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of fruit juice drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 110.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 30 employed a vegetable/fruit drink (viscosity: 9.0 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the vegetable/fruit drink (KAGOME GREENS REFRESH YELLOW, manufactured by Kagome Co., Ltd.) used in Example 30 is a solution or an emulsion which contains vitamin K as the hydrophobic substance and vitamin C as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the homepage of Kagome Co., Ltd., the content of vitamin C being a hydrophilic substance is 14 to 28 mg relative to the product (210 ml) of the product “GREENS REFRESH YELLOW.” Note that the vegetable/fruit drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 30

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of vegetable/fruit drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 90.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 31 employed a sports drink (viscosity: 2.5 mPa·s) as the liquid component.

It can be said that the sports drink (Pocari Sweat, manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) used in Example 31 is a solution or an emulsion which contains common salt as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan 2015 (Seventh Revised Version), the content of common salt (common salt equivalent amount) being a hydrophilic substance is 0.1 g relative to the total mass (100 g) of the sports drink. Note that the sports drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 31

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of sports drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 195.0 mPa·s (20° C., 60 rpm, No. 2).

Example 32 employed a jelly drink (viscosity: 1680 mPa·s) as the liquid component. It can be said that the jelly drink (Weider in Jelly Energy, manufactured by Morinaga & Company, Ltd.) used in Example 32 is a solution which contains vitamin D as the hydrophobic substance and an available carbohydrate as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the homepage of Morinaga & Company, Ltd., the content of vitamin D being a hydrophobic substance is 0.42 to 1.7 μg and the content of carbohydrate (available carbohydrate) being a hydrophilic substance is 45 g relative to one pack (180 g) of the product “Weider in Jelly Energy.” Note that the jelly drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 32

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of jelly drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 2000 mPa·s (20° C., 30 rpm, No. 3).

Example 33 employed a jelly drink (viscosity: 1300 mPa·s) as the liquid component. It can be said that the jelly drink (Purun Purun Qoo Apple, marketed by Coca-Cola Customer Marketing Co., Ltd.) used in Example 33 is a solution which contains vitamin D as the hydrophobic substance and an available carbohydrate as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the homepage of Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited, the content of vitamin D being a hydrophobic substance is 0.7 μg and the content of carbohydrate (available carbohydrate) being a hydrophilic substance is 18 g relative to the total mass (100 g) of the product “Purun Purun Qoo Apple.” Note that the jelly drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 33

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of jelly drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 1920 mPa·s (20° C., 30 rpm, No. 3).

Example 34 employed a jelly drink (viscosity: 1360 mPa·s) as the liquid component. It can be said that the jelly drink (Minute Maid Morning Banana, marketed by Coca-Cola Customer Marketing Co., Ltd.) used in Example 34 is a solution which contains vitamin E as the hydrophobic substance and an available carbohydrate as the hydrophilic substance, for example. In addition, according to the homepage of Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited, the content of vitamin E being a hydrophobic substance is 2.68 mg and the content of carbohydrate (available carbohydrate) being a hydrophilic substance is 47.5 g relative to the total mass (180 g) of the product “Minute Maid Morning Banana.” Note that the jelly drink itself is hydrophilic.

Example 34

At 60° C., 12 g of the thickener A was kept for 0.5 hours for complete melting and was cooled in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber until the product temperature reached 27° C. Into a transparent screw cap bottle SV110 (manufactured by Nichiden-Rika Glass Co., Ltd.), an oil and/or fat composition added with 0.012 g of an oil and/or fat powder of the thickener A (used as a core (seed) for the seeding process) and 72 g of jelly drink whose temperature was adjusted such that the product temperature reached 27° C. in a 27° C.-thermostatic chamber were placed. Both were mixed well and were allowed to stand in a 20° C.-thermostatic chamber for 12 hours. Thus, a thickened composition was obtained. Here, the amount of the liquid component used was 600% by mass relative to the total mass of the thickener (thickener A).

The viscosity of the obtained thickened composition was 2200 mPa·s (20° C., 30 rpm, No. 3).

Table 6 summarizes the results of Examples 25 to 34 described above.

TABLE 6 Amount of XXX- X2Y- Liquid Type Type Final Name Property Component Number Tri- Tri- Cooling of of Used of glyceride glyceride Temper- Functional Liquid (% by Carbon (% by (% by Viscosity ature/ Material Component Mass) Thickener Atoms x Mass) Mass) (mPa · s) Hours Example Lactic Hydrophilic 1600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 40.0 20° C./12 25 Acid Hours Bacteria Beverage Example Lactic Hydrophilic 3200.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 23.0 20° C./12 26 Acid Hours Bacteria Beverage Example Green Hydrophic 1600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 36.0 20° C./12 27 Tea Hours Example Green Hydrophic 3200.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 18.0 20° C./12 28 Tea Hours Example Fruit Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 110.0 20° C./12 29 Juice Hours Drink Example Vegetable/ Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 90.0 20° C./12 30 Fruit Hours Drink Example Sports Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 195.0 20° C./12 31 Drink Hours Example Jelly Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 2000.0 20° C./12 32 Drink Hours Example Jelly Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 1920.0 20° C./12 33 Drink Hours Example Jelly Hydrophic 600.0 A 10 94.0 5.2 2200.0 20° C./12 34 Drink Hours

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to various fields of, for example, foods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industry. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A thickener for a liquid component, wherein the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, and when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains 65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and 35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x +12 and satisfies y≤22, and the liquid component is a liquid at 20° C.
 2. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the oil and/or fat composition is in a powder form.
 3. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component has a viscosity of 1 to 300 mPa·s.
 4. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance.
 5. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component is a solution of a hydrophobic substance or an emulsion of a hydrophobic substance.
 6. The thickener according to claim 4, wherein the hydrophobic substance is selected from the group consisting of flavors, dyes, vitamins, lipids, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance.
 8. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component is a solution of a hydrophilic substance or an emulsion of a hydrophilic substance.
 9. The thickener according to claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic substance is selected from the group consisting of flavors, dyes, vitamins, and mixtures thereof.
 10. The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the liquid component is a liquid form food.
 11. The thickener according to claim 10, wherein the liquid form food is selected from the group consisting of cow's milk, wines, fruit juices, stock, and yogurts.
 12. A method of producing a thickened composition, comprising: a mixing step of mixing a thickener and a liquid component, wherein the thickener contains an oil and/or fat composition, and when a total triglyceride content is set to 100% by mass, the oil and/or fat composition contains 65 to 99% by mass of one or more types of XXX-type triglycerides having fatty acid residues X, each with x carbon atoms, at positions 1 to 3 and 35 to 1% by mass of one or more types of X2Y-type triglycerides each having a fatty acid residue Y with y carbon atoms in place of one of the fatty acid residues X of the XXX-type triglyceride, x, the number of carbon atoms, is an integer selected from 8 to 20, and y, the number of carbon atoms, is each independently an integer selected from x+2 to x +12 and satisfies y≤22, and wherein the liquid component is a liquid at 20° C.
 13. The production method according to claim 12, further comprising a cooling step of cooling a mixture of the thickener and the liquid component.
 14. The production method according to claim 13, wherein a seeding process, a tempering process, and/or a pre-cooling process are further performed between the mixing step and the cooling step.
 15. The production method according to claim 12, wherein the liquid component contains a hydrophobic substance, and an amount of the liquid component used is more than 30% by mass to 99% by mass relative to a total mass of the thickened composition.
 16. The production method according to claim 12, wherein the liquid component contains a hydrophilic substance and wherein the amount of the liquid component used is 300 to 30000% by mass relative to a total mass of the thickener in the mixing step.
 17. A thickened composition comprising the thickener according to claim 1 and a liquid component, wherein the liquid component is a liquid at 20° C.
 18. The thickened composition according to claim 17, wherein a viscosity of the thickened composition is 1 to 30000 mPa·S.
 19. A food and/or beverage comprising the thickened composition according to claim
 17. 